Seven Character Couplet in Running Script《行书七言联》

Ye Gongchuo (1881–1968)
Ye Gongchuo, courtesy name Yufu, also known as Yu Hu and Yu Fu, and with the pseudonym Xia’an, was from Panyu, Guangzhou. Coming from a scholarly family, Ye held significant positions early in his career, such as Minister of Transportation and Minister of Finance. In his mid-years, he dedicated himself to academics, excelling in poetry, archaeology, painting, and art appraisal. He amassed a considerable collection of cultural relics, covering a wide range of categories, and was committed to preserving national treasures. Many ancient texts and cultural relics were meticulously organized and preserved under his care. In his later years, Ye donated his collection of paintings, books, and other important cultural items to the nation for posterity.

Ye Gongchuo claimed that he had never specialized in calligraphy, yet his works were of a high standard, reflecting his natural talent. He excelled particularly in large characters, which were powerful and vigorous, showcasing his extraordinary flair. His running script combined the weight of the Han and Six Dynasties stone inscriptions with the liveliness of the copybook style, incorporating the brushwork of the Zhangcao script, making it unique. This couplet was written in 1943, during his peak creative period. The lines are strong and muscular, the characters’ structure is rigorous, slightly short and flat, yet harmoniously composed, displaying graceful and dynamic movements, making it a masterpiece of his work.

Translation of couplet: “Each Pursuit of Elegance Beyond, My Middle Years Consumed by Literature’s Craze.”

叶恭绰（1881—1968），字裕甫，又字誉虎、玉父，号遐庵，广州番禺人。家学渊源深厚，早年担任过交通总长、财政部长。中年后致力于学术，于诗文、考古、书画、鉴赏无不精湛。搜藏历代文物，品类颇广，至为丰富，为保存国宝不遗余力。文献古籍，经其整理保存者尤多。晚年先后将所藏书画、典籍、文物重器尽数捐献给国家，以垂永远。

叶恭绰自谓于书法未曾专工，但他的格调很高，属于天赋型书家。特擅写大字，雄森苍浑，最胜处在魄力非凡。其行草书既有汉魏六朝碑版的厚重，也不乏帖的灵动，更加入章草的笔意，自成一家。此联书于1943年，正值他创作的旺盛期，线条以筋骨胜，结字严谨，结体略矮而扁，但欹正相谐，跌宕多姿，有着矫健的风采，是其精品之作。

释文：每向空苍追大雅，狂胪文献耗中年。